U.N. human rights panel urges Japan to silence hate speech

GENEVA--The U.N. Human Rights Committee released a final report on July 24 that calls on the Japanese government to ban hate speech to prevent racism and confrontation from escalating in the country.

The report was compiled after the committee, consisting of experts on human rights issues, examined the nation’s human rights situation for the first time in six years.

In the written opinion, the committee expressed concern over the spread of hate-fueling, discrimination-promoting remarks made against ethnic Korean residents, Chinese and other ethnic minorities living in Japan.

The report cited a banner hoisted by Urawa Reds fans at a J.League soccer match at Saitama Stadium on March 8 that declared “Japanese Only,” and said such xenophobic demonstrations have become rampant in the nation.

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